$2bn arms deal: I’m ready for trial –Dasuki
By Akeeb Alarape
FORMER National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, dismissed
graft allegations in the procurement of arms and equipment for the
Armed Forces
Dasuki insisted in a statement yesterday he acted in national interest in the award of arm procurement contracts while in office.
Dasuki was indicted by the presidential probe committee, which looked into the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector. He was accused of awarding fictitious contracts worth N271.8 billion.
But, yesterday, Dasuki, who has been in a legal tango with the Department of State Services (DSS) over the seizure of his travelling documents, insisted he was not a thief or treasury looter.
According to him, he was just a ‘clearing house’ for contracts approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan on the request of the Armed Forces and the Defence sector.
“I have a lot to tell Nigerians but in the interim, they should not believe some of the allegations as the gospel truth. The good thing is that some of the key actors in the present administration were part of the past process being viciously challenged.
“As for my tenure as the nation’s NSA, I acted in the interest of the nation and with utmost fear of God. I did not use the office for any self-serving agenda,” Dasuki stated.
He faulted the claim by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina that he awarded contracts between March 2012 and March 2015, saying he was not yet the NSA as at March 2012. Dasuki added he was appointed on June 22, 2012.
He also picked holes in the findings of the probe committee, which he said never invited him to hear his side of the allegations.
“There were no fictitious contracts; contract sums were not diverted and the relevant services in writing acknowledged delivery of equipment…” he said.
[Sunnews]
Dasuki insisted in a statement yesterday he acted in national interest in the award of arm procurement contracts while in office.
Dasuki was indicted by the presidential probe committee, which looked into the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector. He was accused of awarding fictitious contracts worth N271.8 billion.
But, yesterday, Dasuki, who has been in a legal tango with the Department of State Services (DSS) over the seizure of his travelling documents, insisted he was not a thief or treasury looter.
According to him, he was just a ‘clearing house’ for contracts approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan on the request of the Armed Forces and the Defence sector.
“I have a lot to tell Nigerians but in the interim, they should not believe some of the allegations as the gospel truth. The good thing is that some of the key actors in the present administration were part of the past process being viciously challenged.
“As for my tenure as the nation’s NSA, I acted in the interest of the nation and with utmost fear of God. I did not use the office for any self-serving agenda,” Dasuki stated.
He faulted the claim by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina that he awarded contracts between March 2012 and March 2015, saying he was not yet the NSA as at March 2012. Dasuki added he was appointed on June 22, 2012.
He also picked holes in the findings of the probe committee, which he said never invited him to hear his side of the allegations.
“There were no fictitious contracts; contract sums were not diverted and the relevant services in writing acknowledged delivery of equipment…” he said.
[Sunnews]
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